The Qigong Way — 4

Eight movements. No equipment. Ten minutes a day.

Baduanjin — the "Eight Pieces of Brocade" — is one of the oldest forms of qigong, practiced in Chinese parks at dawn for over two thousand years. The Qigong Way: Heal Yourself, the fourth book in the series, turns to the evidence: decades of peer-reviewed research on what this gentle practice actually does for the body.

The opening chapter walks through what that research has actually found over the past few decades: improved balance and fewer falls, slower bone density loss, lower blood pressure, easier sleep, and a measurable easing of anxiety, depression, and immune strain.

From there, the book becomes a practical, fully illustrated guide. Each of the eight movements is broken down step by step, paired with a clear illustration, its traditional meaning, and the physical reasoning behind it — so you're never just reading about the practice, you're learning to do it. A short history chapter separates the legend of Baduanjin's origin from what historians actually know. A final chapter covers posture, breathing, timing, and the common mistakes beginners make.

No flexibility required. Whether you're managing a chronic condition, recovering from illness, or simply looking for a sustainable way to stay steady and strong with age, this book gives you both the why and the how.